Treatment For Panic Disorder

Any collection of symptoms which can be behavioral or psychological that cause a person distress, disability or the amplified risk of suffering pain, death or the loss of freedom is categorized under mental disorders. Panic disorder is one such disorder where an individual has panic attacks and consistently worries about getting another attack. Effective treatments are available that help to improve such an individual’s quality of life.

The panic attacks which occur in panic disorder normally happen without any cues. However, situational related and cued attacks can also occur. It is found in approximately 3% of the general population making it a common anxiety disorder. It is normally seen in two forms, panic disorder with agoraphobia and without agoraphobia.

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The actual panic attacks are short episodes in which the individual feels intense alarm accompanied by a number of physical and other symptoms. These symptoms start swiftly and peak rapidly. During such an attack four or additional of the stated symptoms can take place. Chest discomfort, chills or hot flashes, choking feelings, de-realization or depersonalization, lightheadedness, fear of dying, fear of loss of control, heart racing, nausea, numbness or tingling sensations, sweating, smothering sensations and or trembling.

Panic disorder treatment includes a dose of medication and therapy either each by itself or in a combination form. It is decided between the patient and the clinician what form of treatment would be best suited. But in certain cases such as in the case of a pregnant woman psychotherapy should be tried first in order to avoid complications to the fetus through any medication.

Antidepressants lessen the severity of the attacks and even do away with them on the whole. Some antidepressants such as Sertraline (Zoloft) and Paroxetine (Paxil) are common medicines prescribed for panic disorder. Clonazepam (Klonopin) from the benzodiazepine family of medications are also Food and Drug Administration accepted medications for the management of panic disorder.

Even though benzodiazepines are as capable as the SSRIs in relieving the panic symptoms, there are some adverse side effects including depression even after discontinuation of the medication. In this regard, the SSRIs are more preferable.

According to researchers, the psychotherapy component of treatment for panic disorders is at least as or even more important than the medication treatment with the most commonly used therapy being Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). CBT focuses on the negative patterns and distortions in the way people perceive themselves and the world around them.

The basic principle of cognitive behavioral therapy is that peoples’ thoughts and not external events affect the way they feel and hence how they react. CBT examines how negative thoughts contribute to anxiety and how people behave and react in situations that trigger anxiety.

CBT treatment addresses panic disorder though several techniques such as cognitive restructuring, applied relaxation, breath retaining, panic management even exposure through imagery and exposure in vivo.

With the combined effects of medication and psychotherapy, an individual has a high likelihood in overcoming this disabling disorder and leading a quality life.

One inexpensive CBT based treatment method is the Panic Away program.  For less than the cost of a therapy visit, you can stop having panic attacks if you give the program a try.

Click here to go to Panic Away

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